Dialogue: Where the doors to hatred swung open

By GARTH GEORGE

About two weeks ago, the citizens of Lyttelton, Colorado, observed the first anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in which 12 children and a teacher were gunned down and the two teenaged killers took their own lives.

A month or so later, Darrell Scott, the father of one of the murdered children, appeared before a subcommittee of the judiciary committee of the United States House of Representatives.

His submission to the committee was, apparently, never published. It was sent to me this week by a reader, and because I believe it has a message for us here in New Zealand, too, here is a slightly edited version of what he said ...

"We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my beautiful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher and the other 11 children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA [National Rifle Association]. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death.

"I am here to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy - it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies. Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.

"Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. What has happened to us as a nation?

"We have refused to honour God, and in doing so we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs, politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode our personal and private liberties.

"We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric [Harris] and Dylan [Klebold] would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched.

"We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million-dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgement that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library, and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right.

"I'll challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realise that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with him.

"To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA, I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone. My daughter's death will not be in vain. The young people of this country will not allow that to happen."

Food for thought?

* garth_george@herald.co.nz